Box braid is a very protective hairstyle. The fashion for this one has emerged from the grounds of Africa and now it’s all over the world.
Many celebrities have rocked their look with this hairstyle and it seems exceptional.
Since then, most of you want to try it on yourselves. This is a good idea if you want to style your hair without heating tools.
How many packs of hair for box braids are required?
You require approx. 4-10 packs of braiding hair for box braids. The numbers may increase or decrease depending upon the length of your hair. People having short hair might require hair extensions too.
Braiding is generally a skill and you get faster as you practice. Women have claimed to complete the braid within 4-10 hours.
You may take more time than that. I vary from person to person depending upon the length of the hair and the experience in braiding.
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What is a box braid?
For those who are not sure about what a box braid is, a box braid is braiding or plating the hair by dividing it into boxes or squares.
These are highly protective hairstyles. People usually braid their hair and let them naturally grow.
Box braids protect the ends of the hair and it is believed that these braids help in the growth of the hair. Box Braid hairstyles are low-maintenance and very durable.
The size of the braid depends upon your choice or the length of your hair. women generally add synthetic hairs or extensions for braiding. Hair extensions add volume to your hair and can help your braid look thicker and more voluminous.
The best thing about these braids is that they can easily be styled in several different ways.
Box braid is a time taking process but once they are done, they last up to six to eight weeks.
How many packs for box braid? (according to size)
People style their braids in different sizes according to their preferences and choice.
Some people may like huge jumbo box braids for their thick hair while some people are a fan ofmicro braids that look so beautiful.
Box braids can be done in different sizes like Micro, small, medium, large, and jumbo box braids.
Micro box braid
These braids are extremely thin. They last up to 2-3 months. These braids are done by talking fewer strands of hair in numerous sections. These braids were very popular in the 90s and can be styled differently.
These braids are more accessible. You can easily wash your hair and scalp thoroughly. These braids somehow pretend to look like your hair stands which give natural vibes to your hair.
The drawback for these is that they are very time-consuming. It can take up to 9-10 hours or more than that for the whole look.
Micro box braiding requires 4-5 packs of hair.
Small box braid
A small box braid is wider than micro braids somewhat half the width of a pencil. They are classy, stylish, and more practical. a small box braid can easily be tied into a bun or a ponytail which makes them comfortable for you.
These braids are lighter than micro braids which will put less tension on your scalp. But that doesn’t mean it won’t make your head heavy. Your head may feel heavy because of the thin braids.
These braids can take time up to 7-8 hours and 6-8 packs of hair for a small box braid.
Medium box braid
You can pull off Medium Box Braid at any length and with hair color. Medium Box Braids are versatile and a perfect fit for any occasion. The size of these braids is around 10mm.
Medium box braid is not as a lengthy process as a micro or small box braid. It can be done in 5-7 hours. These braids are the ideal size for length retention. These bread do not feel as heavy as micro or small braids.
A medium box braid can be achieved by using 9-11 packs of hair.
Large box braid
Large Box Braid braids save a lot of time and money as they can be achieved at home in less time. The size of these braids is as thick as a marker. Large box braid usually takes 3-4 hours.
The only drawback to this one is that because of the thickness of the braid you don’t get much access to clean your scalp.
These braids last up to 6-8 weeks and require 8-10 packs of hair.
Jumbo box braid
Jumbo braid will make you look as bold as Rihanna. Most hair is taken at once to braid which takes only 45 to 3 hours to finish the look. These jumbo box braids look very chunky and can easily transform your look.
These braids do not last much longer and they are not much accessible when it comes to washing hair. It needs up to 7-8 packs of hair for the whole look.
How to do box braids?
Step 1: prepare your hair
Before you start any kind of braiding preparing your hair is required. For a perfect braid make sure your hair is detangling completely. Wash your hair a day before Brading for better results.
Also, keep your pack of hair ready according to the size of the braid you want. You need to keep your hair parted beforehand.
Step 2: Install the extensions to your hair
Start by creating boxes according to the size of your braid. Using a rattail comb can make your work easier and help you in quick parting.
Make sure you secure each section with a hairpin or elastic band to avoid mixing everything.
Start installing the extensions and then braiding. Braid from the scalp to the end.
Step 3- seal the ends of your hair with elastic
As soon as you braid each of your strands start sealing it with an elastic band.
You can also use hot water after sealing as experts say it will prevent your hair from damage and frizz.